bite

1 of 2

verb

ˈbīt

bit ˈbit

; bitten ˈbi-tᵊn

also bit; biting ˈbī-tiŋ

Synonyms of bite next

transitive verb

: to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound

was bitten by a dog

: to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis

getting bitten by mosquitoes

a snake bit his leg

: to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon

bit by his sword

: to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to

the sleet biting our faces

: to take hold of

help the pliers bite the part

archaic : to take in : cheat

intransitive verb

: to bite or have the habit of biting something

This cat bites.

of a weapon or tool : to cut, pierce, or take hold

bites down on the part

The anchor bites into the ocean floor.

: to cause irritation or smarting

Her criticisms really bite.

: corrode

of fish : to take a bait

The fish aren't biting today.

: to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick)

: to accept a suggestion or an offer

offered them a deal but they wouldn't bite

: to take or maintain a firm hold

The anchor didn't bite well.

: to produce a negative effect

the recession began to bite

chiefly US slang, sometimes vulgar : to be objectionable or extremely bad in quality : stink, suck

This song bites.

US slang : to imitate or copy (someone or something) especially without permission

There are lots of rappers biting his style—but there's only one James Brown!—

Spin

biter

ˈbī-tər

noun

bite

2 of 2

noun

plural bites

: the act of biting

took a bite of the sandwich

felt a bite at the end of the fishing line

: the manner of biting

especially, dentistry : occlusion sense 1b

wore braces to correct her bite

: food: such as

: the amount of food taken at a bite : morsel

couldn't eat another bite

: a small amount of food : snack

have a bite to eat

archaic

: cheat, trick

: sharper

: a wound made by biting

The bite became infected.

: the hold or grip by which friction (see friction sense 1b) is created or purchase (see purchase entry 2 sense 3a(1)) is obtained

: a surface that creates friction or is brought into contact with another for the purpose of obtaining a hold

: a keen incisive quality

a writing style that lacks bite

a satirical bite

: a sharp penetrating effect

The soup has a peppery bite.

the bite of the wind on our cheeks

etching : a single exposure of an etcher's plate to the corrosive action of acid

: an amount (as of money) taken usually in one operation for one purpose : share

a 15 percent bite for his manager

: sound bite

a 10-second news bite

: an expression of interest in something being offered

In seven previous days, the seller didn't get a single bite [=no one expressed interest in buying what was offered].—

Jerry Garrett et al.

Phrases

bite off more than one can chew

: to undertake more than one can handle

bite one's tongue

: to hold back (as from a reluctance to offend) a remark one would like to make

bite the bullet

: to enter with resignation upon a difficult or distressing course of action

bite the dust

: to fall dead especially in battle

: to suffer humiliation or defeat

: to come to an end

bite the hand that feeds one

: to injure a benefactor maliciously

Example Sentences

Verb The hamster bit the child. She bit the cookie in half. Some people bite their nails when they feel nervous. A wild animal may bite if it is frightened. The patient had been bitten by a poisonous snake. The mosquitoes are biting tonight. Are the fish biting today? Noun He ate the candy bar in three quick bites. She gave her lip a gentle bite. The fisherman felt a bite at the end of his line and reeled in a fish. My teenage daughter wears a special device at night to correct her bite. Don't scratch that mosquito bite. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inflation bites:Social Security benefits are rising, but so are the taxes. —

Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023 Roasted Zucchini Pasta Salad This pasta salad combines caramelized roasted zucchini, crunchy sunflower seeds and pops of sweet golden raisins in a tangy tahini sauce for a lively dish with varied textures in every bite. —

Kay Chun, New York Times, 18 May 2023 These days, The Stone Cellar offers visitors a chance to indulge in local craft beer, wine, light bites and live music. —

Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 17 May 2023 Up your grill game with these kabob baskets that ensure that every prime bite makes its way to the plate. —

Lindsay Silberman, townandcountrymag.com, 17 May 2023 The all-day street festival has something for everyone — from clowns to extreme sandcastle sculptures to gourmet bites — right along Long Branch's oceanfront promenade. —

Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2023 Eventually, however, the opening buzz will die down and visitors can stroll in at their leisure and sit down with a good book — or a good friend — for a spot of tea and a bite to eat. —

Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 Bug sprays are a safe and effective way to keep away annoying pests and prevent insect bites. —

Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2023 If a customer bites, the seller turns around and orders the item from a source such as Chinese wholesaler Alibaba, then ships it directly to the buyer. —

Kate Wagner, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English biten, going back to Old English bītan, going back to Germanic *bītan- (whence Old Saxon bītan "to bite, cut into," Old High German bīzan, Old Norse bíta, Gothic beitan), going back to Indo-European *b^hei̯d- "split," whence also Latin findere "to split, cleave, divide" (from a derivative *b^hi-n-d-), Sanskrit abhet "has split," bhinátti "(s/he) splits" and perhaps Greek pheídomai, pheídesthai "to spare, save, refrain from"